India, UAE ink MoU on renewable energy cooperation

India and the UAE today signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in renewable energy, especially solar and wind power.
Union Minster for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and UAE's Minister of State Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber signed the MoU in Abu Dhabi.
India is looking to strengthen cooperation and investment with the UAE to ramp up efforts in the renewable energy sector. Cooperation under the MoU will help identify areas of mutual interest and develop new and renewable energy for both countries.
"India today stands among the top five countries in terms of renewable energy capacity. We have an installed base of over 30,000 MW. This represents an almost 400 per cent increase in the past five years alone," Abdullah said.

The two sides also agreed to form a Joint Working Group for joint research on subjects of mutual interest, exchange and training of scientific personnel, exchange of technologies and data, organisation of workshops and seminars, and transfer of know-how and equipment on non-commercial basis.
Abdullah briefed the UAE Minister on India's progress in renewable energy with special reference to the National Solar Mission launched in 2010 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

He also spoke about India's efforts to promote energy for remote and un-electrified areas.
Abdullah thanked the UAE for the hospitality extended during the Fourth Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange.

Heads of State and Ministers from over 150 countries and representatives from 120 organisations are participating in the assembly of IRENA, the first global intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in the Middle East.